Busch Gardens Halloween Celebrations 2017

At Busch Gardens in 2017, they are celebrating with Howl-O-Scream for 19 select nights (2 nights less than last year) on September 22, 23, 29 and 30, October 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 and 29. The first weekend is billed as a Freaky Preview.

Like Universal, some children may find some of the attractions too intense and no costumes are allowed. Note, Busch Gardens do not release all the details up front so some of this information may relate to last year.

Howl-O-Scream dates for 2017

This is a separately ticketed event and the park opens at 7:30 p.m. and closes as 1:00 a.m. on all nights. This also gives you a chance to ride the roller coasters like the Cheetah Hunt in the dark.

In 2015, for partygoers aged 21+ there was “The Bar @ Club Unearthed” where you could dance and drink the night away at the Marrakesh Theater. To complete the party there were photo opportunities, games, gifts plus food and drink.

Some of Busch Gardens other attractions remain open during Howl-O-Scream including:

Falcon’s Fury

Sheikra

Cheetah Hunt

Kumba

Montu

Cobra’s Curse

Howl-O-Scream Houses

Busch Gardens have started to release details about the houses for 2017. They are promising seven houses in total.

Some of the houses will have been seen before and others are brand new. Housed announced so far are:

Reintroduced in 2014 is the show called Fiends featuring Dr. Freakenstein and his naughty nurses.

As you walk around Howl-O-Scream, do not be surprised to be chased by roaming hordes of scare actors.

Food & Drink

Other details relate to the 2016 event

As well as roaming “shot girls and guys”, there are a number of full-service liquor bars and beer tents throughout the park serving a range of alcoholic beverages including special signature potions named “Karver’s Creation” and “Evil Encore”.

As well as a food truck you can also enjoy a dinner buffet at the “Fright Feast” at the Dragon Fire Grill starting at 6:00 p.m. Prices start at $21.00 and include reserved seating for the Fiends show, half an hour of early access to the haunted houses and front-of-line privileges until 8:30 p.m.

VIP Packages

For the ultimate experience, Busch Gardens offers a choice of three VIP packages:

Super – includes the Howl-O-Scream admission ticket, gift shop discounts, front-of-line access to the houses (excluding the Zombie Containment Unit), complimentary photo, exclusive check-in bar with beer, soda and water included, private beverage stations also with beer, soda and water included plus a tour of the park with a Howl-O-Scream Insider guide

Mega – all the benefits of the Super package plus front-of-line access to the roller coasters and free preferred parking

Ultimate – all the benefits of the Mega package plus half hour early access to the houses, priority access to the Zombie Containment Unit and a private customised tour with guide. New for 2016 is a private character meet and greet

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream 2017 Ticket Prices

Busch Gardens have not yet released all the details of pricing for 2017 so the following are the 2016 prices. Only details so far are that up until August 16, 2017 you can buy a single night ticket to any night for $29.99 plus tax.

Single day ticket prices start from $35.99 but there are often some special promotional ticket prices. All prices are plus tax.

If you are with a group of friends, Busch Gardens offers a group 4-Pack ticket where you can buy four or more tickets at a reduced price. Larger groups of 15 or more can also get discounts.

When one day is not enough, then there is a Thrills & Chills Weekend ticket. This is excellent value as it gives you one weekend (four consecutive days, Thursday through Sunday) of unlimited daytime admission plus Howl-O-Scream event admission over that same period when open (two or three days depending upon dates).

Passport Members can get special discounts.

Front Line Fear

There are two “Front Line Fear” passes that give you front-of-line access to the six houses plus discounts in the gift shop and photos.

The Extreme Front of Line Fear Pass also gives you front-of-line access to the thrill rides.

Freaky Preview Single Night Ticket

Adult

Single after 5 pm admission to Howl-O-Scream on first weekend.

Available on first weekend only.

From $35.99plus tax

Single Night Ticket

Adult

Single after 5 pm admission to Howl-O-Scream.

Available on selected nights only.

From $45.99plus tax

Group Four-Pack Deal

Adult

Single after 5 pm admission to Howl-O-Scream for four or more people.

Available on selected Thursday and Friday nights only for four or more people. Price is per person.

From $35.99plus tax

Single Night Ticket For Groups Of 15 Or More

Adult

Single after 5 pm admission to Howl-O-Scream for groups of 15 or more.

Available on selected nights only.

From $35.99plus tax

Wild & Wicked Weekend Ticket

Adult

Enjoy weekend evenings at the Howl-O-Scream event plus daytime admission to Busch Gardens from Thursday through Sunday of the same weekend.

Available on selected weekends only.

$99.99plus tax

Front Line Fear Regular Pass

Adult

Get front-of-line access to 6 of the houses (excludes the Zombie Containment Unit). Also gives discount at all gift shops and photos.

Standard Howl-O-Scream admission ticket also required.

From $45.00plus tax

Front Line Fear Extreme Pass

Adult

Get front-of-line access to 6 of the houses (excludes the Zombie Containment Unit) plus one-time use on 5 major rides. Also gives discount at all gift shops and photos.

Standard Howl-O-Scream admission ticket also required.

From $55.00plus tax

Super VIP Package

Adult

Super VIP package (see above for details).

Includes standard Howl-O-Scream admission ticket.

From $89.00plus tax

Mega VIP Package

Adult

Mega VIP package (see above for details).

Includes standard Howl-O-Scream admission ticket.

From $119.00plus tax

Ultimate VIP Package

Adult

Ultimate VIP package (see above for details).

Includes standard Howl-O-Scream admission ticket.

From $229.00plus tax

The Experiment

In 2013 Busch Gardens introduced a separate house called The Experiment where you could challenge your fears by participating in psychological tests involving cockroaches, snakes, needles and darkness amongst other phobias. This has not been repeated in subsequent years.

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream History

In 2016, the theme was called “Evil Encore” and featured seven houses:

Circus of Superstition: The Last Laugh — a 3D adventure where you will need more than luck to escape

Dead Fall: Thirst for Blood – watch out for ghosts lurking in a Victorian garden and greenhouse

For 2014, Busch Gardens used social media to allow guests to help define elements of the attractions.

In 2013 the theme was “When Evil Comes Out To Play” and they gradually introduced 13 scary characters that you would find in the Haunted Houses or the Scare Zones. Also new for 2013 was a separately ticketed add-on called the Experiment.